There’s supposed to be a candidates’ forum at the government center today. All we know about is a meet and greet for the candidates that goes from 12 – 5. So of course, people are complaining. Asking candidates to hang around for 5 hours is a lot let alone tribal members.
A forum allows Tribal members to hear from the candidates on issues important to them. We can’t elect people who can’t do the job or have ulterior motives.
We’ve borne the brunt of that in a horrific way.
Stay tuned.
Be sure to get on the zoom council meeting tonight and see what happens. Stay informed.
by Nancy Eve Cohn
New England Public Media
Harvard University’s Peabody Museum and Warren Anatomical Museum recently completed the legal process for repatriating the remains of 313 Native people from eastern Massachusetts to Wampanoag communities in Mashpee and Aquinnah.
Harvard and other institutions are working on returning the remains of Native individuals from western and central Massachusetts.
After the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation became federal law in 1990, many museums took the first steps to comply — including reporting the number of human remains in their collections and which state and county they came from.
Jim Peters, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and the executive director of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs, said he worked with Harvard for the past couple of years on this recent repatriation.
“I think they’ve done the best they can,” Peters said about the Harvard museums. “It’s been a mountainous job that they may not have paid attention to in the past eras… They have come a long way.”
Peters said the next step is for the Wampanoag tribal communities to find final resting places to rebury the remains of those who died.
In an emailed statement Harvard University said it plans to start consultations on remains from other parts of the state.
“The Peabody Museum plans to reach out to invite consultation on the 25 ancestors from Central, Western and unknown locations in MA by the end of January. This includes the ancestors from Worcester, Hampshire and Franklin Counties and the ancestor from Franklin County from the Warren Anatomical Museum.”
Some other museums with the remains of people from central and western Massachusetts have either begun or plan to begin the process of repatriation.
Berkshire Museum is in the midst of the repatriation process for the remains of two individuals from Hampden County.
The Worcester Historical Museum, which has the remains of two individuals, plans to seek funding to hire someone to guide them through the repatriation process.
“My biggest concern with the whole process is ensuring that everything is done correctly,” said Shelley Cathcart, the museum’s curator.
According to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation database, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City has the remains of five individuals from Franklin County and one from Hampden County.
In an emailed statement the museum said it has “not received any inquiries or claims for these six individuals.”
The museum did not say whether it had invited native groups to consult, “but welcomes engagement with any interested native communities regarding these individuals.”
The First Light Shellfish Farm is almost finished. The multi-million-dollar grant from U.S. Fish and Wildlife revived the project that has languished since 2009. Vice Chairman 
Carlton Hendricks, Jr. said it should be finished early, in a matter of weeks with over $100k to spare. He said that money will be spent on a manager and finishing the interior. The building is framed up. Coolers, freezers, clam counters stainless steel sinks will then follow. The project will generate 15 new jobs also boasting a fish market that has long been discussed and now materializing. Hendricks led the collaborative effort that salvaged the shellfish farm18 months ago. It’s expected to jumpstart an essential part of the Tribe’s economic development strategy.
Most significant is the fact the operation is a federally certified Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point or HACCP facility — a food safety management system. That was all important to getting the project back on track. It will also serve a dual purpose of cleaning the bay and preventing fish contamination.
The two million oysters and clams planted at Punkhorn Point in Popponesset Bay, will generate, more work for the fishermen, fish to sell at the tribal fish market and in the wholesale marketplace.
We also need to thank Jason Steading Director and Dale Oakley assistant Director and Tribal members David, Jr and CheNulKa Pocknett, Nathan Mills, Robert Andrade and Natural Resources Chairman Buddy Pocknett for their heavy lifting. It’s part of the continued efforts to keep the essential Tribal fishing economy alive. The Shellfish farm will not only create jobs it will generate added income for Tribal members.
Also on the horizon is the restoration of the Parsonage that will be coming to fruition thanks
Every generation of Mashpee Wampanoag remembers the landmark yellow Parsonage sitting atop the hill since 1849. It’s long overdue for a facelift.
to the lobbying efforts of Council Secretary Cassie Jackson and Vice Chair Hendricks. The two worked the halls of the US Capitol lobbying US Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressman Bill Keating for an appropriation of $1.6 million to retore the deteriorating historic site that has gone untouched for decades. More positive action for one of our historic symbols.
Dealing with the issues that are killing Tribal members is another leadership priority. Henricks has led the efforts to intercept the drug overdose epidemic and homelessness in our community. “The Men’s Healing Lodge “will be up and running by Mid-February. The Vice Chair gives credit to the many Tribally owned businesses and members for their assistance. The Sober House is designed as a refuge for rehabilitation. The Del Sol project will help to stem our homeless problem.
These are very serious issues that have been neglected for nearly14 years. Because of these initiatives, we are starting to take care of ourselves again.
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Kevin was telling his cousin Curtis to, “Get in there!“
Last night’s Council meeting was raucous to say the least. It was a live audience of about 30 while 72 viewed on Zoom. Tribal members watched a spectacle that was scary. Tribal Police Chief Kevin Frye was calling his security detail telling them to, “Get in there!”
Thanks to the Wamp Hotline, we don’t have to tell you anymore, because you already know.
Thirteen candidates qualified for the February 12 election. There are six open seats to be filled. The incumbents’filing is Nelson Andrews, Jr. Rita Gonsalves, Winnie Graham and Domingo Teixeira.
Challengers are Ed Avant, Steve Bingham, Jr., Roxanne Mills Brown, Marlon Graham, Natana Greendeer, Ce Ce Martinez, Susette Peters-Mathis, Winnona Pocknett, and Fenton Soliz.
Nine potential candidates pulled papers but did not file qualifying papers.
Good luck to all the candidates. Remember, elections have consequences. Vote.
